Nothing beats looking out into your backyard and seeing a pristine swimming pool sparkling in the sunlight. Your pool is the hub of your family’s summer fun, so you don’t want to lose precious time on the weekends figuring out why your water is cloudy again or removing debris. In this guide, you’ll find expert tips for getting resort-quality, clear pool water and keeping it that way.
Prioritize Water Chemistry
Cloudy water is a headache for many pool owners, and it often comes down to a chemical imbalance. Test your pol water every day, aiming for a total alkalinity between 80 and 120 ppm and pH levels between 7.4 and 7.6. Keep a pool water log in a notebook or on your phone. Document your readings and the water’s appearance so that you can connect the dots between the clearest water and the ideal chemical composition.
If you’re struggling to maintain stable or consistent levels, work with a pool expert who can test your water and pool equipment, stabilize your pool chemistry and give you personalized guidance.
Run Your Pool Filter Regularly
A pool filter should run eight to 12 hours each day to remove algae, bacteria and debris. Your filter also helps distribute the chemicals that make the water clean and sparkling evenly throughout the pool. Follow proper maintenance for your filter type, too, such as backwashing sand or DE filters and rinsing cartridge filters regularly.
After a pool party, you’ll need to run the filter longer and avoid swimming, preferably for a day. A heavy increase in oils, body lotion, sunscreen and fine particles from large gatherings can quickly cloud your water, so give your filter time to fully clean your pool between swims.
Shock the Water Each Week
Weekly pool water shocking helps sanitize your water and eliminate harmful contaminants. You should always shock the pool at dusk to avoid sunlight burning off the chlorine. Wait at least 12 hours to test the water after shocking to ensure accurate readings. You can, however, test non-chlorine shocks within 15 to 30 minutes.
For best results, consult with a pool expert who can give you the best product recommendations and shocking schedule based on the size of your pool, its water type and its usage.
Invest in a Clarifier or Flocculant
Pool water clarifiers bind microscopic particles together, so you can skim them out to enhance your water’s appearance. Flocculants cause debris to sink to the bottom of the pool to be vacuumed out. The gold standard is to skim the surface water daily, then brush the pool walls and vacuum the entire floor weekly.
If you follow these tips but still struggle to get the sparkling pool water you dream of, contact a pool expert who can diagnose the issue. With a little professional help, you can unlock the secrets to a pristine, shimmering pool that dazzles you, your loved ones and your guests all season. If you live in Newburgh, NY or a surrounding area and need water testing services, make your first call to Galati Pools and Spas.
